About
Our Gym

Kim Vardy is a highly respected softball pitching coach with more than 20 years of experience developing pitchers and athletes across the United States. A former pitcher at Northern Illinois University, she built a strong foundation in the game that has translated into a successful coaching career dedicated to helping athletes reach collegiate levels of competition. Throughout her career, Vardy has coached at the high school level in Wisconsin, Illinois, Texas, and North Carolina, consistently elevating team performance and building strong pitching programs. She has also assisted local colleges with the development of their pitching staffs and remains active in the travel softball community. In addition to coaching, Vardy co-owns Athletic Zone with her husband, combining athletic training and sports performance to support the development of young athletes.

kvardy@vardyhpc.com

Lacinda Melanson is a former collegiate standout and experienced softball instructor with a strong background in player development at both the college and travel ball levels. A second baseman at the University of Tampa (2001-2004), she helped lead the Spartans to a 123-69 record, their first-ever conference championship, and three NCAA postseason appearances. She earned Second-Team All-American honors, First-Team All-Region recognition, and three All-SSC selections, and was inducted into the University of Tampa Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022. With years of collegiate coaching experience-including stops at Louisiana-Monroe (04-08) and as head coach at UNC Pembroke (08-13)-Lacinda brings a wealth of knowledge to her instruction. She has also worked extensively with travel ball organizations such as Davie Power, Gold Coast Hurricanes, Pembroke Pines Diamond Dusters, and Triangle Lightning, and is passionate about helping athletes develop strong fundamentals, confidence, and game awareness.

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A former college baseball player for UNC-Pembroke Braves baseball, he is a dedicated baseball instructor passionate about developing well-rounded athletes. Specializing in both outfield and infield play, he emphasizes strong defensive fundamentals, game awareness, and confident fielding at every level. As a switch hitter, he brings unique insight into hitting mechanics from both the left- and right-handed sides of the plate, helping players improve swing mechanics, timing, pitch recognition, and overall offensive approach. He also provides pitching instruction, focusing on proper mechanics, arm care, and command on the mound. His goal as an instructor is to help players sharpen their skills, build confidence, and develop a deeper understanding of the game to succeed at the next level.

fitnessdirector@theathleticzone.com

Morgan Aycock is a former collegiate pitcher at North Carolina Wesleyan University who specializes in developing confident, skilled pitchers. A three-year player, she earned Second Team All-Conference honors her junior and senior seasons, along with All-Tournament Team and Academic All-District recognition as a senior. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Exercise Science. Morgan is currently continuing her education at East Carolina University in Occupational Therapy, allowing her to incorporate knowledge of body mechanics and injury prevention into her coaching. She is passionate about creating a positive, encouraging environment. Fun fact: her favorite pitch to teach is the screwball.

Cayden Sutton brings years of competitive softball experience and a deep passion for developing young pitchers. She began her career at Clayton High School before continuing at Louisburg College (2023-2024) and later at the University of Mount Olive (2024-2026). During her time at Louisburg, Cayden was part of the pitching staff that competed in the NJCAA Division II World Series in 2024, helping her team earn a fourth-place national finish. Cayden offers a unique perspective as both a player and coach, having trained at this very facility since the third grade. Under Coach Kim’s guidance, she built a strong pitching foundation that carried her through a successful high school and collegiate career. Cayden uses her experience to connect with athletes and help young pitchers develop strong fundamentals, confidence, and consistency in the circle.

Samantha Garcia is a former collegiate pitcher at the University of South Florida and a dedicated softball coach specializing in pitching instruction for all levels. She also offers hitting lessons (all levels). At USF, Samantha was part of the program’s first-ever Women’s College World Series appearance in 2012 and helped lead the team to a Big East Championship in 2013. Prior to college, she was a standout at Sparta High School (NJ), earning 2011 New Jersey Player of the Year, First Team All-State honors, and a Group 3 State Championship. Samantha is passionate about developing confident, skilled athletes and brings high energy to every session-on and off the field.

Haleigh Joyner is a former collegiate softball player and coach specializing in hitting and infield development. She coached at Louisburg College for three years, working with hitters and infielders and helping lead the 2023 team to rank #1 in the nation in home runs (198), with a .815 slugging percentage and .392 team batting average. As a player, Haleigh spent three seasons at Louisburg, becoming the program’s first two-time All-American, before continuing her career at Mars Hill University and Presbyterian College. Since 2022, she has also provided private hitting and infield lessons.

A former collegiate pitcher who trained under Kim Vardy and played at Tusculum University from 2016-2020, recording over 300 career strikeouts. She currently teaches and coaches softball at Springfield Middle School in Lucama, NC. Allison is passionate about developing young athletes, helping them build confidence both on and off the field. She is dedicated to teaching strong fundamentals, discipline, and a lasting love for the game. Outside of coaching, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son on the North Carolina coast.

With over 40 years of experience in high-performance environments, he brings discipline, precision, and passion to fitness and baseball development. His background includes operating nuclear reactors in the U.S. Navy and at NC State, along with extensive coaching experience. Certified through NASM (Personal Training) and ACE (Group Fitness), he has worked as both a personal trainer and F45 coach, helping clients build strength, mobility, and confidence through foundational training. He has coached baseball at the high school, collegiate, and international levels, including serving as an assistant coach for the gold medal-winning USA Women’s National Team at the 2015 Pan Am Games. He has also worked with the Carolina Mudcats and USA Baseball at events such as the MLB Draft Combine and Home Run Derby X. At The Athletic Zone, his mission is to help athletes train with purpose, perform with confidence, and reach their full potential.

Joe Webber currently serves as the hitting coach for the Zebulon Devil Dogz in the Coastal Plain League, overseeing the team’s offense and outfield development. He recently completed his first season as an assistant coach at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, helping coach five all-conference selections, including the conference Player and Rookie of the Year. Prior to that, Webber spent two seasons at Dean College as hitting coach, where the program saw significant increases in runs scored, stolen bases, and home runs. A former collegiate player at both the Division II and III levels, Webber also holds a master’s degree in Sport Leadership and Coaching.

Nathan Holt is from Sanford, North Carolina, and is a former collegiate baseball player with a passion for helping athletes improve their hitting, pitching, and fielding skills. Nathan attended Grace Christian School, where he played shortstop and pitcher before continuing his baseball career at William Peace University. During his collegiate career, he was a 5-year starter in center field and served as team captain for two seasons. Nathan earned several honors throughout his playing career, including the 2018 Carolina Virginia Collegiate Summer League Offensive MVP, 2021 USA South First Team All-Conference, and selection to the 2021 Appalachian League All-Appy League Team. Nathan brings energy, leadership, and a player-focused approach to instruction, helping athletes build confidence and continue developing their game both on and off the field.